Crafting, fun and friendship

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

I'm drafting out a pattern that I found on Pinterest...but for what? You may well ask and then when you hear the reason, wonder if I've finally lost the plot.....

Julia gifted me some Christmas fabric from her mum's stash that she's been clearing recently and the spots/checks are from my supplies! Still any idea?

This may give you a bit more of an idea possibly. No? Well, let's carry on....

Of course - they're reversible dog bandanas that slide onto collars (not having a suitable dog on which to model these, I made do with a ruler!) Whaddya think? I'm making them for a Rescued Greyhound trust that our lovely desker Sue is involved with. I liked the pattern because it uses less fabric than triangular scarves that you tie and they were so easy and quick to make. You could have some for Valentines, Easter, summer...the possibilities are endless. But it's often hard to make something fundamentally boring look enticing for people to part with cash so....

A little work in Corel Photo and a bit of folding later, hopefully that's done the trick!

And some instructions always help!

I hope they raise some cash for a great cause! Have a great week everyone :-D xxxx

Wednesday, 19 October 2016

It's been getting to be like Groundhog Day on my desk recently! But I actually did start making something else today - my friend Helen has asked me to make some tissue holders for her to give as little Christmas presents. Woohoo, something that isn't felt! To the Scrapmobile, Batgirl.....

Bright colours was what Helen asked for - I like a challenge!

I haven't seen some of these for a while, they're like old friends :-D

Inside out...the one that I have turned out and ironed features a rather lovely lace trim that I bought from C&H Fabrics in Winchester last Sunday (I still miss Janet Fairythoughts when I go in the shop.....)

A bit of fun eh? I did enjoy running these up as they're so quick to make!

But is my felt obsession done with yet? Not on your nelly.......

Some more examples of what I made - they've gone off in the parcels now.

And as well as the lace I bought in Winchester, a few other things snuck their way into my basket. If that picture doesn't shriek 'Christmas' then I don't know what would. Red stars with snowflakes next, I think......I can't seem to stop!

Thanks for all the lovely comments last week. Because of 'life' stuff, I don't think I returned all of them..sorry. This week isn't going to be better either as we have to return to Wales for the funeral of one of our oldest friends - it may be the weekend before I catch up, for which I apologise.

Have a lovely week everyone - I'm sending hugs and big squishies to you all :-)

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

I feel as if I ought to apologise as I've shown you pretty much the same desk for the past three weeks! But there's been quite a bit to do as I want to send the things off to two different charities and want a goodly amount to put in each package.

It's a great pile of mess on my desk...felt, stuffing, embroidery floss, ribbons, bead box, finished items and an upturned orange plastic cup that I used as a circle template!

The pile is growing :-)

and a pudding is taking shape!

and the second type of bunting is finished - yay! I also finished a crochet blanket and sent it off to Lilian B for something she's involved with, but forgot to take a photo before mailing it. Doh!

But it hasn't been all nose-to-the-grindstone crafting. There have been some beautiful bright and cold sunny days here and on Sunday, Mr LLJ and I visited Mottisfont Abbey, a lovely NT property near Winchester. There was lots to see in the house but we concentrated on the gardens as the weather was so lovely....

I've decided that I'd rather like a Shepherd's Hut for my next garden - it was all lovely and snug inside, perfect for curling up with a book when you want to hide away....

A place for everything and everything in its place :-) It was really atmospheric in there, I loved it.

The autumn colours haven't really got going yet but there were some beautiful things to stop and stare at:

The bark of this tree was like burnished copper, it was gleaming in the sunshine....

...and in the dark Winter garden, this tree almost pulsated with bright yellow...I spent ages standing underneath being surrounded by the amazing colour.

There were mermaid tresses undulating in the fast flowing chalk stream....

...and just a hint that the season is changing. We really did have a bit of a recharge of spirits there.

I may make something different for next week's desk but don't hold me to that as I'm really enjoying the felt/thread technology!!

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

There's been quite a lot of stitchery going on this week, in between the house hunting and celebrating the imminent early retirement of Mr LLJ!

Last Saturday was grim weather wise and so I felt no guilt whatsoever in spending most of the day playing nicely. I'd seen some ideas on Pinterest for felt Christmas decorations and thought I'd have a go. Now I haven't done any embroidery or cross stitch for a VERY long time but do you know what? I have really enjoyed it! I sort of winged the snowflake being good at eyeballing symmetrical patterns. Last time Shaz and Doug came to stay, they passed on some yarn and bead stash - so I dug a few little pearls out and:

...this was the result! Some of you saw this on FB but I'm sneaking it in today :-D

And here's the start of some different colourways with a nascent Christmas pud top right! That's going to have some holly leaves and red button berries by the time I've finished with it. The grey seems a bit sombre at the moment but hopefully it'll look better by the time I've blinged it up and blanket stitched it. All these will end up in a charity parcel :-)

And finally, I bought another 20cms of Christmas wreath fabric to go with the spotty blue from my stash to make another couple of sets of bunting (I was trying to match the colours of the snowmen's scarves - it's as near as I could get!)

Hope you all have a great week!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx